A complete package of all seven of the expanded versions of Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method.

The Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 1, Expanded Edition authored by Mel Bay and William Bay. The guitar instruction series provides valuable enhancement to the world's most popular guitar method book. This comprehensive, spiral-bound volume doubles the number of studies and solos presented in the original edition. Every new concept is reinforced by numerous pages of fresh study material. In addition, every note contained in the original Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 is included and supported by additional playing material.

Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 2, Expanded Edition:Authored by Mel Bay and William Bay, this book is an extended version of the famed Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 2 that adds new, carefully graded playing material for every concept taught. Solos are presented in various styles. A special feature is the addition of in-depth picking studies in the keys of C, Am, G, Em, F, Dm, D, and Bm. Additional studies are contained in second position and in 6/8 time. In short, if you really want to learn to play great guitar, this is the method. It is unmatched in its thoroughness in teaching important guitar concepts.

Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 3, Expanded Edition:Authored by Mel Bay and William Bay, this book is an extended version of the acclaimed Modern Guitar Method Grade 3 that contains outstanding solos, etudes, chord melody studies, scale studies, and duets in the keys of A, F#m, G, D, Em, Bm, F, Dm, Bb, Gm, Eb, Cm, Ab, and Fm. In addition, 2nd and 3rd positions are thoroughly explored. Every concept in the original has been expanded with ample playing material. Completion of this text will assure that the guitar student is well on their way to becoming an accomplished guitarist.

Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 4, Expanded Edition:Authored by Mel Bay and William Bay, this book is a comprehensive text filled with solos, technique and scale studies, plus duets and chord etudes designed to develop familiarity and skill playing in the higher positions on the guitar fingerboard. Fourth position is studied utilizing the keys of E, A, C#m, and D. Fifth position studies are in F, Dm, C, Am, Bb, and Eb. Seventh position is developed with studies and solos in the keys of C, G, Em, Bm, F, Dm, D, and Gm. Finally, the 9th position is presented using the key of A Major.

Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 5, Expanded Edition:Authored by Mel Bay and William Bay, this book contains studies, chord melody solos, chord studies, quartal harmony etudes, triad studies and duets in the keys of C, Am, G, Em, F, Dm, D, Bm, Bb and Gm. Presents a comprehensive listing of chords found in each key. For each key, etudes are presented in 4 different positions. Companion recordings are included. One of the most comprehensive approaches to contemporary guitar mastery available.

Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 6, Expanded Edition:Authored by Mel Bay and William Bay, this book contains studies, chord melody solos, chord studies, quartal harmony etudes, triad studies, and duets in the keys of A, F#m, Eb, Cm, E, C#m, Ab, and Fm. Presents a comprehensive listing of chords found in each key. For each key, etudes are presented in 4 different positions. One of the most comprehensive approaches to contemporary guitar mastery available. Companion recordings are included.

Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 7, Expanded Edition:Authored by Mel Bay and William Bay, this book contains studies, chord melody solos, chord studies, quartal harmony etudes, triad studies, and duets in the keys of B, G#m, Db, Bbm, Gb, and Ebm. Presents a comprehensive listing of chords found in each key. For each key, etudes are presented in four different positions. One of the most comprehensive approach to contemporary guitar mastery available. Companion recordings are included.

FEATURES

Modern Guitar Method Grade 1, Expanded Edition:

Expands entire content of the original

Doubles the amount of study and solo material

Spiral-bound for durability and reading convenience

Provides an incredibly solid foundation for any guitar student

Modern Guitar Method Grade 2, Expanded Edition:

Additional new music for every concept taught

Picking studies in 8 keys

New solos in diverse styles

Begins study of position playing

Carefully graded to move at a user-friendly pace

Unmatched in comprehensiveness'

Take it from the original guitar instructor, Mel Bay, and order this package of books today.

Very good at a couple of things: 1) It is a great method for learning to sight read.2) Helps prepare students for position playing.

Not good for:1) Ear training.2) Teaching improvisation.

To be used for:1) Advancing beginners and early intermediates who show an interest in really pursuing the guitar above and beyond average players (who generally cannot read notation at all).2) Any player who has shown an interest in reading notation. 3) As a preparatory method for more advanced method books (Berklee/Baker/Fisher/or classical methods in general)

Not to be used for:1) Brand new learners (you'll bore them off the guitar).2) Students who are not interested in reading standard notation3) Students who just want to play popular songs from tabs/chord charts etc...

Use this method judiciously. If you are a teacher it should be reserved until a player is becoming comfortable with chord changes and shapes and has a reasonable grasp on some single-not runs and a few lead licks in their repertoire. I was required to learn from it my first go around with the guitar. I honestly began to believe I couldn't do it and dropped out of lessons. I eventually learned to play by ear.

I play and teach semi-professionally now. But before I made it to my current skill level I did teach myself to sight read because there came a point where I could learn no more without it. I dug out my old Mel Bay book and went through it from beginning to end, then went out and bought book two. It was enough to get me going with my reading.

After a move I realized my Mel Bay Books had been accidentally discarded or lost. I went online and bought the Expanded Edition 1-7. I intentionally pushed myself through the whole series just to say I did it. It is very interesting to do this as a player who plays above the level of the notation, but still gets challenged by some of the things that are easy to play, just not easy to read. The sight reading has improved even more. Book 1 is very basic. 2 is a little more advanced rhythmically and 3 is more of the same in different keys than 1 and 2. 5 gets pretty challenging at times. So do 6 and 7. 7 is worthy just for the quartal chord study at the end.

All 7 books are wire bound, which obviously keeps the pages from flipping on you. In the description only the first book was labeled as wire bound so out of sheer paranoia I called Musicians Friend and a fella told me he was not sure but assumed they they were since the first one was. I bought them and was relieved when all 7 books were wire bound and of course you cant beat the 2 CD's that come with each book. Im really happy with them. All I have to do now is learn them. Which takes around 3 and half years according to my current teacher. Tablature is the easy way out so now after all these years I'm gonna take the leap! "Never to old to learn" they say.